‘He rang and told me the decision had been made to exclude Riley permanently and we had given the school a bad reputation because of the media coverage.’

The school said Riley had continuously contravened its healthy eating policy (Picture: Google)

Mr Meek defended his decision to expel the student, saying the school’s relationship with the family had ‘irretrievably broken down’ in the row over their healthy eating policy.

He said the school had to take action against pupils who ‘persistently and deliberately breached school policy by bringing in crisps, biscuits, sausage rolls, mini sausages and scotch eggs’.

‘We have not excluded a pupil for just having Mini Cheddars in their lunchbox, but where there is a persistent and deliberate breach of school policy,’ he told parentdish.co.uk

‘The school would only use a permanent exclusion as a final resort when all other avenues have been exhausted.’

He added that media outlets had been provided with ‘grossly misleading information’ and said the family had made it clear they would not be following the healthy eating guidelines.

‘I would understand the exclusion if he was constantly throwing tables around or bullying other children, but it is just ridiculous for a packet of Mini Cheddars,’ said Natalie Mardle, the partner of Riley’s dad.